Vol. 7 No. 2 – October 2023

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of spent mushroom substrate soil amendments on soybean growth and zinc (Zn) phytoaccumulation in Zn-polluted soil. In a completely randomized factorial layout, soil Zn (0 and 400 mg Zn/kg soil) and spent mushroom substrate (SMS) amendment (0, 5, and 10 % w/w) were applied as treatments and soybean plants were maintained in the greenhouse for five weeks. Stunted growth and mild chlorosis were observed in soybean plants in the Zn-polluted soil with 0 % SMS amendment, but not in those with 5 and 10 %. Plants in the 0% SMS groups in polluted soil had higher root and shoot Zn concentrations and significantly reduced plant growth indices. While SMS amendment at 5 and 10 % reduced the Zn concentrations in plants in the polluted soil, it had no effect on the root-to-shoot Zn translocation, indicating that the SMS amendment affected Zn accumulation more than in planta distribution. While Zn treatment significantly reduced the pH of the soil, SMS amendment generally increased the soil pH. It is concluded that the amendment of Zn-polluted soil with spent mushroom substrate countered the Zn-induced increase in soil acidity, reduced Zn concentrations in plant tissue, and increased soybean tolerance to excess Zn. It may therefore be considered for use in reducing heavy metal uptake and stress in Zn polluted soils.

Keywords: Zn nutrition, soil pH, growth, remediation, stress tolerance.

ABSTRACT

The rapid urbanization of recent years has led to a surge in urban population, driving up the demand for

water resources. This has taken a toll on groundwater, both in terms of quantity and quality. Anthropogenic

activities, change in land use, and changes in topography have rendered groundwater highly susceptible to

contamination. To ensure sustainable water utilization, a robust water management system is essential.

This study focuses on assessing groundwater vulnerability to pollution in Mainland Local Government Area

(LGA) of Lagos, a region grappling with urbanization challenges. We utilized geological and

hydrogeological data from existing sources and collected spatial data, including borehole coordinates,

road networks, river locations, topographical features, and geological data, which were organized into a

geodatabase for geospatial analysis. Our approach involved the DRASTIC model, accounting for aquifer

parameters like depth to water, net recharge, aquifer characteristics, Vadose zone influence, and hydraulic

conductivity. This model was used to create groundwater vulnerability and risk maps, validated using

groundwater quality data. The results revealed diverse susceptibility levels within Mainland Lagos, with

about 18% displaying high susceptibility, 25% moderate susceptibility, 28% low susceptibility, and 29%

very low susceptibility to contamination. These maps offer vital insights for informed decision-making in

water resource management. By enabling sustainable aquifer use, this study sets a precedent for resource

preservation amid urbanization’s challenges.

Keywords: Groundwater, susceptibility, DRASTIC model, groundwater quality

ABSTRACT

The present study investigated the effects of Euphorbia balsamifera Leaf and stem powders and the combination on the adult’s bruchids establishment, mortality, oviposition, and subsequent emergence. Varying quantities of the powders at 0.0g (control), 10.0g, 15.0g and 20.0g respectively were added to the 100g cowpea in each jar. Thereafter, five pairs (male and female) of newly emerged adult bruchids were introduced into each of the treated cowpea in the bottle jar. Each treatment was replicated three times and was arranged in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The results revealed that the bruchids were able to establish but after 24hours, adult mortality commenced and increased significantly as the dosage and duration of the experiment increases, except in the control (0.0g) treatment. These had direct effects on the oviposition and subsequent progeny emergence. The mortality effects of these powders on insects may depend on chemical composition of the treated powders which may suggest a role in its pesticidal, anti-feedant and repellent potencies against C. maculatus. The highest mean mortality (88.33%) was recorded on the combination (20.0g). It can be concluded from this study that combinations of both powders at 20.0g could be used as alternative pesticides against bruchids infestations in stored cowpea grains.

Keywords: Cowpea grains, Euphorbia balsamifera, Callasobrochus maculatus, Balsam-spurge, Phytochemical.

ABSTRACT

This research reports the results of heavy metals characteristic distribution and Source apportionment of heavy metals in dust of Ikeja area of Lagos State. The dust samples were collected randomly four times a month August – December, 2022 at ten different locations in Ikeja area. Samples were obtained by sweeping surface dust into plastic waste packer using plastic brush and transferred into pre-labeled polythene bags. The samples collected at each location were filtered through 75 μm stainless steel sieve, weighed and digested with appropriate amount of HNO₃ and H₂O for 2 hours. The concentrations of heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) PG – 990. Results of the analysis showed that the percentage contribution of each heavy metal at Ikeja area were: Zn – 62.12 %, Pb – 26.47 %, Cu – 8.34 % , Ni – 2.23 %  and Cd – 0.84 % . The most abundant pollutant heavy metal was Zn – 2445.53 mg/kg while the least was Cd – 33.10 mg/kg. The most polluted site is Ikeja Industrial area – 654.48 mg/kg while the least polluted site is Ayodele diyan  street – 150.50 mg/kg with percentage contributions 16.60 % and 3.82 % respectively. The sequence and distribution follow the pattern: Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cd. The Principal Component Analysis PCA   showed that the major sources of heavy metals in  Ikeja  dust are mainly anthropogenic and two factors PC1 and PC2 accounted for 73.61% of the total variance. Each of these factors were identified as sources of heavy metals in dust of Ikeja area with industrial activities dominating. Pearson’s significant correlation analysis revealed that there is strong positive correlation (0.871) between Pb – Cd and moderate correlation (0.554) between Zn – Cu at 0.01 levels of significant. The concentrations of heavy metal obtained exceeded the recommended limits of the Federal Ministry of Environment (FME), European communities (EC) and United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) permissible level for heavy metals in dust suggesting that the study area is polluted.

Keywords: Heavy metals, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, Dust, Environment, Significant.

ABSTRACT

This research reports the results of heavy metals content of Street dust in Oshodi-Isolo Area of Lagos state. The dust samples were collected randomly once a week August – December, 2022 at ten different locations in Osho -Isolo Area. Samples were obtained by sweeping surface dust into plastic waste packer using plastic brush and transferred into pre-labeled polythene bags. Samples collected at each location were filtered through 75 µm stainless steel sieve, weighed and digested with appropriate amount of HNO3 and H2O for 2 hours.The concentrations of heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) PG – 990. Results of the analysis showed that the percentage contribution of each heavy metals at Oshodi – Isolo Area were Zn – 51.52 %, Pb – 36.78 %, Cu- 8.65 %, Ni – 2.79 % and Cd – 0.25 %. The most abundant pollutant heavy metals were Zn-1445.43 mg/kg while the least was Cd – 6.99 mg/kg. The most polluted site is Agege – motor road (AGM)-1372.11 mg/kg while the least polluted site is Adewumi Ogefon (ADO)-15.41 mg/kg with percentage contributions 48.91 % and 0.55 % respectively. The sequence and distribution follow the pattern thus: Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni >Cd. The Principal Component Analysis PCA showed that the major sources of heavy metals in Oshodi- Isolo dust are mainly anthropogenic and two factors PC1 and PC2 accounted for 79.855% of the total variance. Each of these factors were identified as sources of heavy metals in dust of Oshodi – Isolo area with Traffic/ Vehicular emission dominating. Pearson’s significant correlation analysis revealed that there is a strong positive correlation amongst the heavy metals at 0.01 levels of significant. The concentration of Heavy metals obtained exceeded the recommended limits of the Federal Ministry of Environment (FME), European communities (EC) and United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) permissible level for heavy metals in the dust suggesting that the study area is polluted.

Keywords: Dust, Environment, Heavy-Metals, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer Concentration.

ABSTRACT

Accessibility to land for crop production is among the top priorities in the lives of peasant farmers in Nigeria. Land as a free gift of nature is useful for many purposes such as: Agricultural, Commercial, Recreation and so on. The study area in this research covered the vulnerable area invaded by the Boko Haram insurgency beginning from year 2014. Consequently, due to an appreciable and progressive level of improvement recorded, it is expected that faming activities will resume in full capacity. This study therefore utilized remote sensing and geospatial information system to investigate the available locations where practicing of planting varieties of crops can be presented to prospective farmers for easy and quick identification from maps visualization. The pre and post insurgency maps were produced to provide useful information to famers to take advantage of as a result of the about 10% increase in agricultural land use from 58% to 72% over the period of 8 years under consideration. These accessibility maps find application in the area of decision-making for by the stakeholders for the realization of sustainable development goal 2 zero hunger before the end of 2030.

Keywords: Land Mapping, Crop Production, Insurgency, Remote Sensing

ABSTRACT

Water from Kiri dam is basically meant for irrigation purposes of the Savanna Sugar Company. In order for the dam to achieve its goals, there is a need to regularly monitor the trend of changes in the dam’s surface water. The dam usually experiences some changes in the surface water that resulted in a large-scale transformation, mostly during the dry season. The trend seems to be on the increase as the dam experiences large reductions in size of surface water. The study therefore, focuses on the surface water area extraction of Kiri dam reservoir in Shelleng, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study demonstrates the use of a water index algorithm in the extraction of surface water area using Landsat OLI satellite imagery to study the variation in size, shape and to monitor surface water fluctuations in the dam. A combination of six indices were investigated. The indices showed different approaches in separation of water with background cover. Result shows that the MNDWI is most suited in mapping surface water. The dam surface area was noticed to be about 67.15 km² in 2013, 63.57 km² in 2014, 68.68 km² in 2015, 63.28 km² in 2016 and 52.64 km² in 2017. The results therefore indicate that the change in surface area of the dam between 2013 and 2017 is about 14.51 km². This shows a decreasing trend in the surface water area of the dam, apart from the 2015 which indicated a slight increase.

Keywords:Water index, Kiri Dam, LandSat Imagery, Irrigation, Surface Water

ABSTRACT

Several research has justified that the acoustic (vessel based) method of depth determination is the most reliable over other methods, however the satellite bathymetry method which utilizes multispectral images of high-resolution sensors to determine depth has been increasingly deployed as an improved alternative technique for bathymetric derivation. But the accuracy and reliability of the satellite derived depth is of outmost concern as it depends on the derivation algorithm with respect to various conditions of the water bodies. This study is aimed at assessing two empirical algorithms for bathymetric extraction of some selected rivers in Nigeria with the objective of evaluating the depth derived from the Linear Band Model (LBM) and the Band Ratio Model (BRM) with respect to the vessel based in-situ bathymetric depth. The Sentinel-2 satellite imagery in three bands with spatial resolution of 10m was acquired for a section of Opobo River, Orashi River and Badagery creek respectively. Satellite bathymetry of the study areas were extracted using the raster calculator in the ArcGIS 10.2 environment and applying the mathematical algorithms (LBM) and (BRM) after image geo-rectification. Maximum depths obtained are in the range of 16.8m for Opobo River, 6.8m, for Orashi River, and 10.8m for Badagery creek using the (LBM) while 16.9m, 7.8m and 10.9mwas obtained using the (BRM) for Opobo River, Orashi River and Badagery creek respectively. Results of accuracy check showed that the (LBM) has the highest correlation coefficient (r²) value of 0.9824 with RMSE values of 0.4082 for the study areas. This result was validated with the in-situ data which show maximum depth of16.8m for Opobo River, 6.5m for Orashi River, and 10.5m for Badagery creek respectively.

Keywords: Bathymetry; Acoustic, Algorithms, Empirical, Multispectral

ABSTRACT

The investigation examined anthropic land use impact on soil quality indicators in a typical rural – urban fringe in southern Edo State. The objectives were to (i) determine the status of soil quality indicators under each anthropic land use, (ii) ascertain the variations among the physicochemical properties of soils in the different anthropic land uses and (iii) evaluate implications of the anthropic land uses on soil quality indicators. Soil samples were collected from nine (9) different anthropic land use types at 0-15cm and analyzed for physicochemical properties using standard laboratory methods. The data obtained was evaluated using descriptive statistics and soil permissible limits. The findings revealed that Fe > Ca, Mn >SOM, Avl P, CEC, Na, Mg in the soils of the anthropic land uses. The study concluded that SOM, Avl P, CEC, Na and Mg were the deficient soil nutrients. To improve their concentrations, the incorporation of organic manures, conservation agriculture, application of chemical fertilizers and soil erosion control techniques are recommended.

Keywords: Anthropic, Fringe ,Land use, Soil quality, Rural – urban

ABSTRACT

Hydrocarbons have been a major player in growing economies and improving quality of life. In Nigeria, crude oil provides 44.1% of Nigeria’s foreign export and 36.6% of its petroleum gases. The discovery of hydrocarbons in commercial quantity in the Chad Basin in north-eastern Nigeria is another milestone in improving the income of the country. However, the Chad basin exploration was concentrated only on some portion of the basin, the northern part. Previous studies provide little information on the possibility of hydrocarbon deposits in the eastern part bordering the Cameroon republic. This study integrates satellite Remote Sensing (RS) with a Geographic Information System (GIS) to analyze and have an overview of possible concentrations of hydrocarbons in the entire basin that is within the Nigerian territory. Results show that nine local government areas are liable to have
a high concentration of hydrocarbon deposits at a commercial quantity. Only three local governments so far that was undergoing full exploration. This study will serve as a reconnaissance survey for NNPC and other relevant bodies in exploring the hydrocarbons in the other six local
councils in Borno State Nigeria.

Keywords: Remote Sensing, Chad Basin, Hydrocarbon, Exploration

ABSTRACT

The main thrust of this research is to investigate comparatively three (3) selected interpolation techniques for hybrid geoid modeling in Rivers State, Nigeria. The approach deployed is hinged on the Ex-Post factor research design demonstrated in the hybrid geoid model, which involves the integration of geometric geoid and gravimetric geoid models obtained from the zonal harmonics of the earth gravity field (EGM 2008), using a surface interpolation technique as independent variables. The results of the study gave the root mean squares error of 0.00035, 0.000645 and 0.000894 for the inverse distance weighting interpolation, kriging interpolation method and Radial Basis Function respectively. The 3-D surface model of the three interpolation models were generated. The result analysis reveals that the Kriging Interpolation model is the most optimal interpolation models for hybrid geoid modeling in Rivers State.

Keywords: Hybrid, Interpolation, Geoid, Kriging.

ABSTRACT

The construction industry is regarded as the lifeline of a country’s economy because it affects all facets of human activities. Despite all the positive attributes of the construction industry to the economy, its negative impact on the environment cannot be over-emphasized. This study examined the perception of Estate Surveyors and Valuers’ (ESVs) on the adoption of Alternative Construction Materials (ACMs) The objectives of the study are to investigate ESVs’ level of awareness of ACMs and to ascertain their perception of the benefits and barriers to the use of ACMs. Eighty-two ESVs in Ikeja, Lagos were sampled using a questionnaire and sixty-one (representing 74.39%) were found useful for analysis. Data was analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the analyses indicate that though ‘ACMs’is not a new term among the ESVs in the study area, their level of awareness of the usage for construction purposes is low (46%). The results of factor analysis further showed that three (environmental protection, waste reduction, and reduction in cost of construction) out of the ten benefits accounted for 66.984% of the overall variability. Finally, the study revealed that the major barriers to using ACMs include: stakeholders’ satisfaction with conventional building materials (RII 0.938); lack of policies to support sustainable construction (RII-0.928) and inadequate encouragement and support from professional bodies (RII-0.885). Among other suggestions, the study makes a case for the introduction and implementation of government policies that support the use of ACMs, since their adoption can only work with the full support of the government

Keywords: Alternative Construction Materials, Building Materials, Construction Industry, Conventional Building Materials, Sustainable Development

ABSTRACT

The Minimum quadratic unbiased estimate (MINQUE) Variance Component Estimation (VCE) technique has not been used in gravity network adjustment and is therefore herein proposed for computing the error budget in the adjustment of a regional gravimetric network using numerical examples from terrestrial gravity data covering the south western region of Nigeria. Suitable parametric model was chosen to enhance analysis of the gravity dependent, position dependent and height dependent error contributions in the resulting gravity network. Results obtained show variance components of 0.001 in gals +2.222mm, +0.554mm and +0.296 in the gravity, Latitude, Longitude and height data types. It is concluded that while low accuracy horizontal positioning may be acceptable, centimeter level accuracy is required for heights if 0.001mgals accuracy is to be achieved in regional gravity network.

Keywords: Variance Component Estimation (VCE), MINQUE, gravity network, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS)

ABSTRACT

Twenty water samples were collected to assess the level of groundwater contamination at Ojota landfill sites. 25 parameters analyzed include temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, pH, total alkalinity, total acidity, chloride, nitrate, phosphate, sulphate, bicarbonates, dissolved oxygen, magnesium, zinc, calcium, copper, iron, arsenic, lead, chromium, sodium, potassium, manganese and cadmium. The results showed that the mean value for pH was 6.1 and the concentration of total alkalinity ranged from not detected to785mg/L, chloride from not detected to 250mg/L, nitrate from not detected to 15.6mg/L, phosphate from not detected to 1.9Img/L sulphate from not detected to 15.6mg/L, bicarbonates from 8.9 to 36.6mg/L, dissolved oxygen from 1.42 to 5.71 mg/L, magnesium from 0.01 to 0.47 mg/L, zinc from 0 to 0.01mg/L, calcium from 0.61 to 8.3mg/, copper from 0.01 to 0.8mg/L iron from not detected to 0.49mg/L, arsenic was not detected, lead from not detected to 0.269mg/L, chromium from 0 to 0.1mg/L, sodium from 0 to 0.69mg/L potassium from 0 to 0. 651mg/L and total hardness from 8 to 87mg/L. The concentration of total alkalinity, nitrate, dissolved oxygen, iron and lead did exceed the limit of WHO drinking water standard of 200mg/L, 10mg/L. 2mg/L, 0.03mg/L and 0.015mgL respectively in some samples. However, the concentration of zinc, copper, phosphate, sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulphate, bicarbonate and chloride are within the limit of WHO drinking water standards. Arsenic, chromium and cadmium in most of the samples were below the detection limit or not higher than 0.1mg/L. Gibb’s diagram showed that the concentration of the dissolved chemical constituents was the result of t dissolution of host rock minerals due to water – rock interaction. Water in the study area is not potable due to contamination by total alkalinity, nitrate, dissolved oxygen, iron and lead. therefore water should be discarded or treated before use.

Keywords: Landfill, Leachates, Physico-chemical, Pollution, dissolution

ABSTRACT

This study carried out an assessment of heavy metal contamination and microbial counts of soils in selected auto-mechanic workshops within Benin metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria. The study assessed the distribution of some heavy metals and microbial counts across three soil depths of the auto mechanic sites; determined the extent of contamination of heavy metals in the soils and; evaluated significant relationships among the selected heavy metals and microbial counts. A total of 27 soil samples were randomly collected from the three sites (Ugbowo and Uwelu auto-mechanic sites, and control site) at the 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm soil depths. Each soil sample was analyzed for copper

-Cu, iron-Fe, chromium – Cr, lead – Pb, cadmium – Cd, manganese – Mg, total heterotrophic bacteria count – THB and total heterotrophic fungi count – THF. Results revealed that Cu, Cr. Pb and Mn were within the permissible limits for heavy metals in soils established by World Health Organization and Department of Petroleum Resources. Concentrations of Cd exceeded the permissible limit with the contamination/pollution index indicating very severe contamination to slight pollution. Geogenic sources rather than anthropogenic sources accounted for the high Fe values. The study found that auto-mechanic activities had greater negative impact on bacteria counts than fungi counts. Significant positive and negative relationships were observed between the selected heavy metals and microbial counts. The study concluded that auto-mechanic activities increased the concentrations of Cd in all the soils and recommended phytoremediation to reclaim soils contaminated with Cd

ABSTRACT

The main thrust of this research is to investigate comparatively three (3) selected interpolation techniques for hybrid geoid modeling in Rivers State, Nigeria. The approach deployed is hinged on the Ex-Post factor research design demonstrated in the hybrid geoid model, which involves the integration of geometric geoid and gravimetric geoid models obtained from the zonal harmonics of the earth gravity field (EGM 2008), using a surface interpolation technique as independent variables. The results of the study gave the root mean squares error of 0.00035, 0.000645 and 0.000894 for the inverse distance weighting interpolation, kriging interpolation method and Radial Basis Function respectively. The 3-D surface model of the three interpolation models were generated. The result analysis reveals that the Kriging Interpolation model is the most optimal interpolation models for hybrid geoid modeling in Rivers State.

Keywords: Hybrid, Interpolation, Geoid, Kriging.

ABSTRACT

Grazing reserves are the main source of livestock feeds, and thus the quantity of foliage in a grazing reserve will determine its sustainability for livestock grazing. Over the years, growth in the population, increased in commercialized agricultural production, and climatic changes have resulted in shifts in vegetation species distribution, decreased grazing land biodiversity, lower production of foliage, and increase plant cover erosion. This resulted in low foliage productivity that can sustain grazing livestock in most parts of Africa. Many studies associated Earth Observation (EO) data with ground-measured biomass to quantify the amount of foliage in a particular area. However, few studies were conducted in African savannahs to investigate the sustainability of their grazing lands in terms of foliage availability. This study uses satellite remote sensing to investigate the status of the Gujba grazing reserve in the Savannah region and its level of sustainability for grazing. From the result, it was found that the total quantity of foliage calculated was 2,581,788,982kg, while, the recommended livestock intake was 22,523,869,644kg. This clearly indicates that the grazing reserve was seriously overgrazed and is not sustainable. The findings of the study will contribute to decision-making for proper management of grazing reserves by relevant ministries and other government agencies, thereby minimizing the persistent crop farmers and herders’ conflicts in Nigeria and boosting livestock productivity.

Keywords: Mapping, Status, Grazing-land, Satellite Remote Sensing

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates concentrations, probable sources, potential ecological and health risks of 16PAHS in the surface water from Buguma, Krakrama and Bonny communities along River Niger, Nigeria.

Surface water sampling were undertaken in these communities and PAHs were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-FID analyses of the PAHs were made on a Hewlett Packard Agilent 6890 series with a flame ionization detector (FID). The concentrations of total PAHs (EPAHs) ranged from 32.89 to 81.60 mg L in surface water with a mean value of 53.32 mg L while that of carcinogenic PAHs (Ec-PAHS) was 10.27 mg L. which corresponds to 19.3.% of the EPAHS Low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs were recordedigher in concentrat ions (59.4%) as compared to high molecular weight (HMW) PAHS (40.6%). Phanthrene with the maximal concentration of 16.51 mg L’ was the dominant PAH in surface water. Results revealed the alarming levels of PAHS and the unsuitability of water for drinking purpose. PAHs in water exerted very high ecological risks with phanthrene (20.8%), naphthalene (14.6%), pyrene (14.1%), and chrysene (10.4%) as the main contributors. The primary source of PAHs was hoth pyrolytic and petrogenic. The sum of the ingestion and dermal lifetime cancer risk is 2.40x 10, which was higher than the acceptable value recommended by WHO. It means I lifetime cancer case in 42 residents in the three commumities, indicating significant carcinogenic risk through long-term exposure via ingestion and dermal routes.

Keywords: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Surface Water, Health Risk, dermal contact, Molecular Diagnostic Ratios

ABSTRACT

One of the natural disasters being experienced in world is flooding, particularly, areas within flood plains. There are Numerous research conducted by scholars in mitigating flood occurrences to minimise loses in lives and properties. However, there is little study on flood mitigation in the north east part of Nigeria. This study use satellite data to prepare a flood mitigation map of Damaturu Town northeast Nigeria. The map shows highly vulnerable flood area covering approximately 2,669 hectares. The moderate and less risk areas have and area of 10,313 hectares. Only 3,438 hectares of land that has little or no risk of flooding. The flood mitigation map created will be used as a decision-making process by the town planners and engineers for proper planning for flood mitigation. Hence, contributing towards the reatization of Sustainable Developiment Goal (SDG Target 13.1.3 Implementation of local disaster risk reduction strategies: and 11.1 ensuring access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

Keywords: Flood, Elevation model, Built up area, Roads

Abstract

This study aims at predicting gully head retreat at the University of Benin gully erosion site and to provide an understanding of its effective management. Three main processes in gully head retreat namely head cut (upstream retreat), channel widening, and channel deepening are common features contributing to gully size increase that is responsible for mass destruction to life and infrastructure in the area under study. The morphological parameters measured include (length, Width, and Depth). Soll samples taken from the gully site were analyzed at the University of Benin geotechnical laboratory following the British Standard Specification (BS), 1377, 1990, and American (ASTM) standard method. Rainfall data obtained from Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) were analyzed from 1989 to 2016. Channel Hill Slope Integrated Landscape Development (CHILD) model was adapted to model the gully head retreat. Soil loss was analyzed with a Surface Difference Tool (SDT) in a GIS environment. The results generated with the Model and the surveyed gully extent of the same year were compared. Wilcoxon sign ranking tests, t-Test statistic,s and regression analysis were run to ascertain the level of statistical relation between the model and the surveyed/satellite image data. From sieve analysis, critical gully bed share stress (t) to run the CHILD model was obtained to show a standard based on soil distribution particles as derived from the U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigation report. Rainfall analysis report shows average annual rainfall of 2,156.63 mm, 687.9 mm for September 1998, while the lowest rainfall data of 1,532.99 mm recorded in 2015, which could be responsible for the low gully growth as seen in the Historical Google Earth images from 2015 to 2019. Statistical comparison of head retreat for the CHILD model, Survey data, and the Google Earth imagery shows a strong correlation. Furthermore, the results obtained with Historic Google Earth images, show gully arms A and B to be 130.26 m and 73.31 m, while those obtained with the CHILD model for the same gully arms showed a cumulative retreat length of 112.30 m and 86.95 m. The average gully head retreat rate for the period of 2010-2019 from observed data using satellite imagery and the CHILD model for gully arms A and B is 6,94 m/yr. and 3.92 m/yr, and 5.92 m/yr. and 4.61 m/yr, respectively, showing a strong correlation with gully growth. The result of total soil loss computed for the study area is 64.130.89 m. The length of the gully by the year 2025 from prediction is 237.90 m and the land area at risk is 101,019.70 Mr. The application of GIS/Remote sensing technology alongside the CHILD model has proven very useful in the prediction and management decision of gully head retreat and can be employed for similar studies in related areas of Engineering

Keywords: Gully, CHILD, Soil loss, GIS, RS